A popular Japanese professional wrestler and lawmaker Antonio Inoki, who faced a world boxing champion Muhammad Ali in a mixed martial arts match in 1976, has died at 79.
“As you can see, I’m pushing myself to the limit, and I’m getting power as I get to see you,” he said.
Inoki made his pro-wrestling debut in 1960 and gave himself a ring name Antonio Inoki two years later. Inoki entered politics in 1989 after winning a seat in the upper house, one of Japan’s two chambers of parliament, and headed the Sports and Peace Party. He traveled to Iraq in 1990 to win the release of Japanese citizens who were held hostage there. He also staged a pro-wrestling match in North Korea.
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